MNP churn: 17.11 lakh requests submitted

The introduction of mobile number portability (MNP) in India on January 20, 2011 has seen 17.11 lakh requests for change of operator submitted all over the country. According to TRAI data, the submissions have been slightly higher in the Northern and Western Zone, while Zone II (Southern and Eastern) has seen fewer submissions, not taking into account the 2.29 lakh subscribers who opted for change in carrier in Haryana, where the service was introduced on a pilot basis on November 25, 2010.

As per a review of the status of mobile number portability, till February 5, 2011, there were 17.11 lakh submissions for change of carrier, led by Gujarat with 1.67 lakh requests and Rajasthan with 1.44 lakh requests in the North and West Zone, while the South and East Zone was led by Karnataka with 1.16 lakh requests and Tamil Nadu with 1.14 lakh requests.

The regulator also noted that certain port-in requests were rejected by service providers, and while they did not release the number of unsuccessful applications, one of the rules they point out is that you cannot change your mobile carrier in less than 90 days of joining the network. Aside from this, some port-in requests were also rejected for carrying an incorrect Unique Porting Code, or due to contractual obligation with the service provider and also due to outstanding bills.

The regulator has assured that it will be monitoring all mobile number porting to ensure fair play by the operators and suggested that users also keep these three things in mind when making a porting request so as to have a problem free experience.